Tag Archives: marlin

Early in 2006 found Viking II heading south for it’s season in Port Stephens. Our ever popular cost of fuel only trip from the Gold Coast to Port Stephens where we troll the continental shelf of NSW presented some great fishing for Warrick, Tony, and big Mike. The boy’s had a ball catching all 3 species of Marlin as well as some quality yellow fin.

Port Stephens again proved itself to be an outstanding destination, my regular fly fishing clients were kept busy on the long rods with the perfect size stripers and blacks and were blown away by the odd nice blue.

Conventional tackle clients had some big days, with double figures and the odd grand slam not uncommon. But without a doubt the biggest highlight of the Port Stephens season was winning the NSW Interclub Tournament Champion boat Tag and Release. Kim, my hard working wife, was relieved of her mother and office duties to fish this tournament. And fish it she did, taking out not only champion female angler, but also champion angler over all. A feat never before achieved by a lady. I achieved a personal milestone in my career, having now won this tournament four times as captain in the capture as well as the tag and release divisions. Again a feat never before achieved.

Four of the Billson’s Blue water Sport fishing Workshops were held in 06. Two in Port Stephens and two on the Gold Coast. As always these were highly successful. Held over weekends these workshops are not only for the new comers to the sport but also for the experienced, yes I can teach some old dogs some new tricks. Click here for this years dates if you want to join the fun!

I had a break from the fishing program for a few months this year, to refit the charter boat Mauna Kea. The Mauna Kea had been purchased by good friend Jeff Jennings, well one thing led to another and I found myself back using my old trade’s tools again, refitting the whole engine room and designing and overseeing the installation of its new tower. A lot of hard work but I am more than happy with the end result.

The Viking II departed the Gold Coast in late August for my 20th Giant Black Marlin season as a Captain and the 40th anniversary season of the first black Marlin captured over 1000lb. We kicked off on the 7th September and found there was no shortage of small to medium fish to keep the clients entertained. By the middle of September we had released our first nice one. Simon Atkinson the angler was ecstatic over the capture, and the boats first nice one for the season put smiles all round.

The 40th Anniversary Tournament with its 65 boats made it one of Cairns largest ever tournaments. Anglers Henning Hassle, Nils Christian Foss from Denmark who had been so successful in a previous Lizard Island Tournament were trying there luck with me again. The boys took 3 days prior the 4 day event to get there hand in. At the end of a tightly fought tournament the Viking II came in second place to Mauna Kea. (I knew I spent too much time on that refit). Never the less a great tournament, and a good result. Congratulations to Jeff and the boys, and my team.

Robert Ell and his team from Sydney were back again, their 4 day trip produced 24 bites for 10 releases. We had a ball too Rob.

Matt Sanders, and Greg Beard, mixed up a spear fishing trip with their marlin fishing, 3 days of marlin fishing for 6 releases and no shortage of trout for the table.

Beau Kuok another regular, normally a Lizard Island guest, this year decided to experience staying on the reef live aboard. Beau enjoys fishing the reef in the mornings and employs his Chinese cooking skills to prepare the fish for lunch. His steamed coral trout or red emperor is to die for. Beau still managed to average a Marlin a day during his afternoon session and will be spending more time on the reef in the future.

The Lizard Island tournament rolled around again Murray Hansen and the boys from NZ utilized the comfort of a mother ship for the 7 days, and put there trust in me to give them a result.. I have won this gig 4 times prior but this year was not my year. The boys were great sports and we had plenty of laughs. You know what they say the sun doesn’t shine out of the same dogs arse all the time.

I had to leave the Viking to Capt Steve Haygarth ( Hoggy) to run for 10 days while I attended to some other commitments. Hoggy has done many seasons with me and he did a great job for clients Michael Hayes and friend and Jeff cooper and friends. I saw the video footage and believe some of the fish released during this time were well over 1000lb. Good Job Hogg.
John Houghton and mate Steve Woods took 6 days at the start of November. John celebrated his 50th birthday on the reef, Steve got a 900lber and John caught his share of smaller fish.

Bruce Yancey did his second trip with me, and utilized the Atlantic Princess for his Mother ship. I must say at this point that the AP’s service and food is second to none on the reef, and our 3 nights were thoroughly enjoyed. Bruce still has not been lucky with a nice fish, but wins the party animal award every time.

Richard Draper, Chris Hevelston, John Staley only took 3 days but got real lucky, 2 over 900lb and 4 in total. This started a nice little roll for us.

Roy Sayman also only took three days, but caught 8 fish including one over 800lb and one over 600lb. By 14:30 on Roy’s last day, we got an early mark; Roy was a little worn out to catch another one.

The husband and wife team of Bruce and Laurie Bosley took 6 days a wonderful couple who were passionate about their fishing. They were rewarded with 10 fish for their trip, and each achieving a dream of 2 big ones around 900lb.

Regular’s Paul Kelly Uncle Doug and Rodney, love there bottom fishing and light tackle and had a great first day with a 20lb red emperor and 40lb Spanish mackerel. When the marlin baits were put in Uncle Doug hooked up to a sea monster, the big fish took its toll on Doug who is not a big man, he looked a little relieved when after a succession of unbelievable jumps the big fish got rid of the hook. Still puffing after the first encounter, Uncle Doug, who is not a fit man. (Sorry Uncle Doug) was on again this time to a 500lber on steroids. I will say one thing about Uncle Doug, what he lacks in size he makes up for in heart. The boys each caught a marlin and plenty of other action on the other tackle.

Jim Wild and friends were to finish off my season, we were on 95 fish for the big fish season and sights were set on the three figures, alas it was not to be. I took a punt and went out wide to the sea mount, plenty of big Wahoo and Dorado and bait but no marlin, a missed opportunity on the way back in, and one fish on the edge was our finish. Jim and his mates were great guys and loved their trip.

2006 was over 82 days of heavy tackle marlin for 96 fish, I think close to top boat we had some great times with you guys and hoped you enjoyed our company and efforts. Thank you so much.

Our 2005 heavy tackle season started on the 6th September and finished on 1st of December 87 days straight chasing the giant black marlin that migrate to the Barrier Reef every year. All of our clients went away with some amazing memories and extremely happy so much so that on returning home in December my wife Kim informed me that our book was full for the 2006 season. Some highlights were.

Regular client Brent Morehouse from the US topped off a great week by catching another grander with us. He is getting towards double figures with nice ones now, but still won’t put one in the boat unless a definite 1100lb.

Ferdi Pistirious from South Africa got 2 over 850lb in the Lizard island classic. Bill Holt also from the US letting a monster go over 1100lb. Old time friend and partner in the original Viking Paul Kelly had a blinder 4 days catching 5 over 900lb and 9 in total.

Dan Percy also from the US followed on the hot early November bite, with a total of 9 for his 5 days. His first day a 750 lb’er he lifted the ante on the second day with a 850lber than the next day a 950lber and to really put the icing on the cake let a monster go well over 1000lb in his last hour of his last day.

December saw us moving from Cairns to the Gold Coast were we are now calling home. Our young family Kai now 2 ½ and Emmi-Rose nearly 4 are loving it and having the Viking 11 parked out in front of the house makes life much easier, and lets me spend more time with the family.

By early February this year, we were doing our southern season out of Port Stephens, we started our season and the fish started snapping, Up to 10 billfish a day was not uncommon and all 3 species Black, blue, and striped marlin could be caught in a day. Neil Delaney caught a Grand Slam for a single angler, and had some hot fishing for his 5 days.

Our 1ST Workshop was held on the 11th and 12th of February, I would have to say my best ever, they are becoming very popular and from the remarks from the students they are more than impressed with what we teach them. There fishing day on the Sunday saw many of the students putting into practice what we taught them, and catching there first ever marlin.

Regular Japanese Fly-fishing client Hiro had booked his usual 7 days out of Port Stephens. The fishery stayed strong and we hooked some nice fish on the fly. A 600lb Blue, which blew us away on 20lb tippet, and a weighed 125 lb black on 16lb tippet just a little under the record were a few of the highlights.

We fished the NSW interclub tournament last weekend in February and the 1st weekend in March. We have won this event 3 times prior with capture, and I was keen to take out the Tag and Release section. To our delight we achieved that feat this year, to the best of my knowledge I don’t believe this has ever been achieved before. 13 black and Striped marlin tagged and released in the 1st weekend of the tournament did the job. My Wife Kim took out Champion overall angler, and also Champion female angler. She did a great job on the rod and we were more than delighted.

The Cairns heavy tackle marlin season was again another beauty for us, our circle hook techniques are still proving hard to beat, and for the 3 rd consecutive season we have been in the top boat category.

We started our season in early September, with the Jeff Jennings Generosity Tour. Jeff is one of my regulars whose generosity and of course good business sense, shouts certain colleagues a trip to the reef. His generosity was rewarded with some great fishing off No 10 Ribbon Reef catching 10 marlin for his trip as well as Large Dogtooth Tuna up to 50kg and Spanish Mackerel up to 40kg. Jeff also picked up a few new orders for his business.

We than started our giant marlin site seeing tours, fishing 2 weeks using a mixture of fly fishing tackle, light tackle, and poppers to catch sea monsters. As usual as soon as you put out the teaser baits without hooks the big ones nailed us. My Japanese friends Moto and Hiro had some amazing stories to tell when they got home. Long fights with marlin close to 800lb on 20lb tippet, fulfilled Hiro’s dream of seeing a giant marlin eat a fly. Moto’s 4 hour fight into the early night in 25 knots plus of breeze with a 650lber hooked on a popper, was a feat in itself especially as he got washed off his feet more than once. Both boys experienced blown away fishing.

The big guns came out again and clients Malcom Summers, from the UK, Kevin Cook and his team from the Gold Coast, and Matt Sanders and his 3 mates, all chartered five days separately up to the 16 th of October and had a ball. 25 black marlin up to 800lb were tagged and released.

The Lizard Island Black Marlin Classic rolled around again, our first day was beyond belief, 3 fish over 950lb jumping on the leader, we managed to get a tag into 2 of the big fish, with the 3 rd breaking the leader just before the tag found it’s mark. A 450lber just before knock off on the first day set us up for another great start in this prestigious tournament.

The fish kept coming for Henning Hasle and Nils Christian Foss from Denmark, and again we were in contention for yet another win. On the 4 th day Henning Hasle from the USA hooked up on a nice one which had plenty of length and could put him in contention for largest fish. We elected to keep this fish, but unfortunately the fish lacked condition and only pulled the needle down to 970lb still a nice one but not beating the 1060lber already weighed.

At the end of the 7 th day we had caught the 2 nd most fish, our weighed fish could not go against our tag score, to officially put us as second, but we were still more than happy with our results. We had won two of the days and runners up for champion male angler. This makes our results over the last 4 years in this tournament quite amazing. 2001 Champion Boat, 2002 Champion Boat, 2003 Runner up Champion Boat, and the 2004 results. No other boat can come close to Viking II’s results over the years in this tournament.

While I am on the subject of the results
DON’T FORGET MY WORKSHOPS. Our popular Sport fishing work shops are on again this April in Port Stephens, one weekend is already full so get in quick. As a special offer this year, one person from each workshop is invited to come aboard Viking II for a week during the heavy tackle season as my guest, to learn the ropes up there. THAT’S RIGHT FREE. Just have to get yourself up there. All details on the workshop can be found on our website www.australianmarlin.com

Tracy Melton from Melton International tackle again joined me up on the reef this year. Tracy has caught a 1000lb blue marlin on standup and was chasing a Black. We came close one about 900lb maybe 950lb, gave Tracy a hard time, but he did an outstanding job keeping 45lbs of drag on the whole time. Beautiful fish, swam away real healthy after the tag went in. Love those circle hooks.

Well we didn’t get our 100 fish this season, slowed a little in November due to excessive long periods of calm weather.

We topped out at 83. I think only one other boat may have beaten us, so I can’t complain too much. We were well above a fish a day. Considering the days we were playing around with light and fly fishing tackle, it was still a great season. I was more than impressed from the emails we received after the season (see below) .

We left Cairns on the 11 th December, south bound for Port Stephens. I think the best trip I have had with winds behind us most of the way, and some great fishing as well. From Lady Musgrave Island to the Gold Coast we were having consistent Marlin and Sailfish bites, mixed in with quality Wahoo and Mahi Mahi, and a grand slam down the NSW Coast.

Remember you can come on a section of these transfer trips, for only fuel and food costs, many have done it and loved it.

That’s about all for now folks hope you all have a great year, and some special fish come your way. We hope to see you soon aboard the Viking II

Undoubtedly the 2002 season would go down as the most amazing year that I have experienced as a charter boat Captain.

The year started off with Viking II traveling to its southern destinations of Port Stephens and Ulladulla. Our first charter was with a guy specialising in fly fishing tackle chasing world records. Tom Evans, from America, was targeting striped marlin, blue marlin and black marlin with fly fishing tackle with the emphasis on trying to achieve world records on the individual tippet classes. At the end of Tom’s charter we had achieved 2 amazing feats; the first being the largest striped marlin ever caught on fly fishing tackle. The fish weighing 104.7 kg, 231lb, blew away the existing world record and created a new benchmark for the 16lb 8kg tippet class. But the fish that got the world talking happened on the last day of Tom’s charter. We were out wide in the canyons east of Port Stephens looking for blue marlin, when the fish appeared behind the long teaser lure. The blue marlin attacked the lure and managed to get teased close to the boat. Tom did his usual perfection cast and the blue marlin engulfed the fly. After 20 minutes of the most spectacular fight between boat, fish and angler that anyone could witness the fish was gaffed. The atmosphere on the boat was electrifying as all on board knew that we had achieved an amazing milestone not only in saltwater fly fishing history but in general sportfishing achievements.

Our results out of Port Stephens were not only constrained to saltwater fly fishing; many clients caught some magnificent fish on 16kg and 8kg conventional tackle. Captures of blue marlin upwards toward 200kg on 15kg were not uncommon and striped marlin exceeding 85 kg on 8 kg line class were also caught.

Viking II returned to Cairns in June and continued operating light tackle sportfishing charters out of Cairns.

The Heavy Tackle Marlin Season which Cairns is famous for finally came around in September and from all reports up and down the reef it was going to be a great season. The first tournament for the Heavy Tackle season was held in late September sponsored by the Mediterranean Shipping Company and after 4 days of hot competition Viking II came out winners and was champion boat for the tournament. Angler Patrick Helmy from New Caledonia took out the award for champion male angler and went back to New Caledonia $20,000 richer.

This was a great start to our heavy tackle season but it didn’t stop there! All clients fishing onboard the Viking II had some outstanding fishing with many catching their first 1000lb marlin. The Lizard Island Black Marlin Classic which is known as one of the most prestigious tournaments in the world circuit was again won by the Viking II. We tagged 24 Black Marlin and weighed one fish in this 7-day tournament. Some very large fish were released, the largest of which I estimated at over 1200lbs, anglers Dave and Daniel Bedford and their friend Terry Kuzma, from Canada, could not believe the week they experienced. This was the second time in consecutive years that Viking II has won this tournament and we have now won it a total of 4 times. No other vessel can come close to these results.

A full commitment was made this season to the use of circle hooks. With more and more people keen to release even the big fish it is imperative that these fish be released in good condition. The use of circle hooks certainly assists this and we have refined our technique to achieve over 65% success rate with these hooks.

Gary Carter from America chartered the Viking II for 10 days with the emphasis on targeting black marlin on 16lb 8kg and also 4lb 2kg conventional tackle. Although the world record fish was not caught our results were staggering. Gary had 5 fish on over 800lb on 16lb 3 of these fish would have easily been over 1000lb. We also had numerous long battles on the 4lb tackle and came extremely close to capturing a 400lb fish on this tackle. With the fish only metres away and in trouble we had a control cable failure and we were not able to get the boat to the fish on time. It was Gary’s first experience of the Cairns Black Marlin fishery and to say that he was impressed would be a total understatement.

Towards the tail end of our season the number of our fish that we had released was getting into the 90’s and we were starting to think about the possibility of breaking the milestone of 100 fish for the season which has rarely been done before. When our last day finally arrived, the 5th of December, we were sitting on 97 fish for the season. An early bite and early fish put us on 98. Another fish at 3 o’clock in the afternoon put us on 99. We were thinking how long would we have to fish that day to catch the 100th fish. Obviously after an 80-day marlin season the boys and I were quite tired. So with light fading at the end of our last day of our 2002 season, the reluctant call was made to bring in the baits. Then the unbelievable happened. While the last bait was being retrieved only metres away from the boat, I thought I saw a shape under the bait. I yelled from the tower, to “free spool” and 15 minutes later a 350lb black marlin was released giving us our 100th fish for the season.

A remarkable ending to a remarkable year.

A day trip a week later resulted in a 400lb black marlin being tagged and released giving us 101 black marlin for the season.

The 2001 Giant Black Marlin Season will go down as one to remember. In total there were 8 marlin weighed over the magical 1000lb mark and 4 of those 8 fish were over 1200lb with one very close to 1400lbs. Congratulations to the following anglers:

Craig Caughlan

1389LB

Adam Atkins

1288LB

Norm Ennis

1260LB

Jack Owens

1256LB

Hugh Wiley

1170LB

Max Warrick

1070LB

Parke Berolzheimer

1058LB

Steve Chicolo

1025LB

But more importantly there were over 30 very large fish released. Cairns leads the world for the release of large marlin and is pioneering the use of circle hooks and sonic tags to assist in the preservation of the species.

The Internationally renowned Lizard Island Black Marlin Classic, was run over 7 days, 21st to 27th October. No other tournament on the calendar can boast the results of this tournament since its inauguration, and the 2001 classic was no exception. New president Bob Lowe did an outstanding job in the organization and running of the Classic, and with the help of major sponsors the Caughlan family and Firth Insurance put together a tournament to remember. As always the tournament promotes tag and release and it has become a Captain’s etiquette not to keep a fish under 1000Llb. The amazing highlight of the 2001 classic was the weighing of 3 fish over the magical 1000lb.

Viking II again proved that we are consistently consistent, winning the tournament for the 3rd time. With many second places in previous years, and winner of the biggest fish award twice, no other boat can boast such results in this prestigious tournament.

Over the last five seasons the Cairns’ Giant Black Marlin Fishery has seen some changes. The charter fleet is now prepared to move away from the traditional grounds, when the current and water clarity are not favourable. The walls, bay’s, points, and openings of that 160 mile stretch, on the edge of the Great Barrier Reef, from Lizard Island to Cairns, that has produced such phenomenal fishing for over 30 years, has now been extended to include vast area’s of the Coral Sea. Captains that are fortunate enough to have powerful sounders have found new under sea structure that is consistently producing quality fish. This structure which includes canyons, seamounts, and plateau’s, can be found as close as 4 to 10 miles east of the reef, and in many cases is an extension of the surface shape of the reef itself. The recently named Flattery Plateau, which produced two of the largest fish weighed for the 2001 season, and was also a big fish hot spot in 2000, is the perfect example. Another example is the grounds wide of the famous middle Ribbon reefs, between no. 3 and no. 7. East of these reefs, is prominent structure that ranges in depths from 1200 to 1900 meters. From one of these extensions at the bottom of no. 5 Ribbon Reef, the first Grander for the 2001 season was caught.

The new out wide fishery off Cairns, as well as the existing fishery is again proving that no place on this earth can compete to this destination for the size and number of quality fish. A great season at another top destination is like a good day here. I am often amazed at how little publicity the Cairns area receives. I guess some people are just trying to keep it a secret. Well the cat’s out of the bag again. Not only can you catch Giant Black Marlin out of Cairns but the 2001 season produced some large Blues, and not to mention the fun you can have with large yellow fin tuna and big eye tuna while searching for the big blacks out wide.

Viking II averaged 3 bites a day during the big fish season, and as always was one of the Cairns marlin fleets top boats.

The 2001 Giant Black Marlin Season will go down as one to remember. In total there were 8 marlin weighed over the magical 1000lb mark and 4 of those 8 fish were over 1200lb with one very close to 1400lbs. Congratulations to the following anglers:

Craig Caughlan

1389LB

Adam Atkins

1288LB

Norm Ennis

1260LB

Jack Owens

1256LB

Hugh Wiley

1170LB

Max Warrick

1070LB

Parke Berolzheimer

1058LB

Steve Chicolo

1025LB

But more importantly there were over 30 very large fish released. Cairns leads the world for the release of large marlin and is pioneering the use of circle hooks and sonic tags to assist in the preservation of the species.

The Internationally renowned Lizard Island Black Marlin Classic, was run over 7 days, 21st to 27th October. No other tournament on the calendar can boast the results of this tournament since its inauguration, and the 2001 classic was no exception. New president Bob Lowe did an outstanding job in the organization and running of the Classic, and with the help of major sponsors the Caughlan family and Firth Insurance put together a tournament to remember. As always the tournament promotes tag and release and it has become a Captain’s etiquette not to keep a fish under 1000Llb. The amazing highlight of the 2001 classic was the weighing of 3 fish over the magical 1000lb.

Viking II again proved that we are consistently consistent, winning the tournament for the 3rd time. With many second places in previous years, and winner of the biggest fish award twice, no other boat can boast such results in this prestigious tournament.

Over the last five seasons the Cairns’ Giant Black Marlin Fishery has seen some changes. The charter fleet is now prepared to move away from the traditional grounds, when the current and water clarity are not favourable. The walls, bay’s, points, and openings of that 160 mile stretch, on the edge of the Great Barrier Reef, from Lizard Island to Cairns, that has produced such phenomenal fishing for over 30 years, has now been extended to include vast area’s of the Coral Sea. Captains that are fortunate enough to have powerful sounders have found new under sea structure that is consistently producing quality fish. This structure which includes canyons, seamounts, and plateau’s, can be found as close as 4 to 10 miles east of the reef, and in many cases is an extension of the surface shape of the reef itself. The recently named Flattery Plateau, which produced two of the largest fish weighed for the 2001 season, and was also a big fish hot spot in 2000, is the perfect example. Another example is the grounds wide of the famous middle Ribbon reefs, between no. 3 and no. 7. East of these reefs, is prominent structure that ranges in depths from 1200 to 1900 meters. From one of these extensions at the bottom of no. 5 Ribbon Reef, the first Grander for the 2001 season was caught.

The new out wide fishery off Cairns, as well as the existing fishery is again proving that no place on this earth can compete to this destination for the size and number of quality fish. A great season at another top destination is like a good day here. I am often amazed at how little publicity the Cairns area receives. I guess some people are just trying to keep it a secret. Well the cat’s out of the bag again. Not only can you catch Giant Black Marlin out of Cairns but the 2001 season produced some large Blues, and not to mention the fun you can have with large yellow fin tuna and big eye tuna while searching for the big blacks out wide.

Viking II averaged 3 bites a day during the big fish season, and as always was one of the Cairns marlin fleets top boats.

Viking 11 is currently fishing off Cairns for the 2000 Giant Black Marlin season and again proveing to be one of the top boats. With the season only half over the results have been excellent with Viking 11 again finishing in the top 2 boats in the THE LIZARD ISLAND BLACK MARLIN CLASSIC a tornerment Viking has won twice and placed in consistenlty including a 2nd place last year. This year Viking 11 came within literaly a few minutes of winning again eventualy finishing in 2nd place on countback a close and exciting result for US Anglers Rodger Torino and Rich Hassberger who tagged 5 fish during the tornerment including 2 over 900Lbs in one day!!

Other notable captures so far include a 960 pound Black Marlin caught and weighed by Bruce Morehouse of South Carolina USA and the release of a monster 1100 Lb Giant Black by a very happy David Palmer of Texas. In total Viking11 has released or captured 2 Marlin over 1000Lbs and a 5 over 900Lbs for its lucky anglers so far this season and the season still has a long way to go! Viking 11 still has good slots available for the 2001 giant Black Marlin season and remember that in the new year Viking 11 heads south to the exciting grounds off Pt Stephens NSW for the southern season with limited bookings still available
if you act quickly.

Viking II commenced fishing out of Port Stephens in the last week of January 2000. Already the fishing from the previous week’s report was red hot. We were keen to concentrate on bait and switching as this time of year produces vast quantities of striped marlin. Our hook up rate on bait and switch runs close to 90%.

The Port Stephens area has a prominent tournament season. Our first tournament we finished my good friends Alan Bridge, Dennis Goldspink and Rob Southhall. The boys normally fish on Alan’s boat however Alan’s new boat is still in production so the tournament was fished on the Viking II. The boys were happy with our results, coming in 2nd place with tag & release of black, blue and striped marlin.

Some of my Japanese anglers wanted to have a go at switch baiting but instead of switching the fish to take a live or dead bait, they decided to attempt to get the fish to take popper lures being cast just on thread line outfits. It was very exciting, we raised 11 fish, again black, blue and striped marlin. We hooked 4 but only managed to get 1 to the boat; a blue marlin around 300lb.

Other tournaments Viking II fished while in Port Stephens area were the Broken Bay Invitational, the Port Stephens Shootout and the largest tournament of it’s kind in the southern hemisphere; the NSW Interclub Tournament. We took our Champion Boat in this tournament last year and came very close to achieving this feat again but we were “pipped at the post” by just 2kg. We were more than happy with 2nd place result after last year’s win.

A 1st place in the Broken Bay Invitational, in the Light Tackle Tag & Release section, added to another very successful season out of Port Stephens this year.

Port Stephens attracted many international anglers this year, some targeting the perfect sized billfish on fly and others attempting to enter their name in the IGFA World Record Book utilizing ultra-light tackle. Some of the results were remarkable with new world claims for black and striped marlin on 2lb, 4lb and 6lb line classes. I am sure you will hear more of this remarkable fishing in up and coming fishing bulletins.

Viking 11 is currently fishing off Cairns for the 2000 Giant Black Marlin season and again proveing to be one of the top boats. With the season only half over the results have been excellent with Viking 11 again finishing in the top 2 boats in the THE LIZARD ISLAND BLACK MARLIN CLASSIC a tornerment Viking has won twice and placed in consistenlty including a 2nd place last year. This year Viking 11 came within literaly a few minutes of winning again eventualy finishing in 2nd place on countback a close and exciting result for US Anglers Rodger Torino and Rich Hassberger who tagged 5 fish during the tornerment including 2 over 900Lbs in one day!!

Other notable captures so far include a 960 pound Black Marlin caught and weighed by Bruce Morehouse of South Carolina USA and the release of a monster 1100 Lb Giant Black by a very happy David Palmer of Texas. In total Viking11 has released or captured 2 Marlin over 1000Lbs and a 5 over 900Lbs for its lucky anglers so far this season and the season still has a long way to go! Viking 11 still has good slots available for the 2001 giant Black Marlin season and remember that in the new year Viking 11 heads south to the exciting grounds off Pt Stephens NSW for the southern season with limited bookings still available
if you act quickly.

Viking II commenced fishing out of Port Stephens in the last week of January 2000. Already the fishing from the previous week’s report was red hot. We were keen to concentrate on bait and switching as this time of year produces vast quantities of striped marlin. Our hook up rate on bait and switch runs close to 90%.

The Port Stephens area has a prominent tournament season. Our first tournament we finished my good friends Alan Bridge, Dennis Goldspink and Rob Southhall. The boys normally fish on Alan’s boat however Alan’s new boat is still in production so the tournament was fished on the Viking II. The boys were happy with our results, coming in 2nd place with tag & release of black, blue and striped marlin.

Some of my Japanese anglers wanted to have a go at switch baiting but instead of switching the fish to take a live or dead bait, they decided to attempt to get the fish to take popper lures being cast just on thread line outfits. It was very exciting, we raised 11 fish, again black, blue and striped marlin. We hooked 4 but only managed to get 1 to the boat; a blue marlin around 300lb.

Other tournaments Viking II fished while in Port Stephens area were the Broken Bay Invitational, the Port Stephens Shootout and the largest tournament of it’s kind in the southern hemisphere; the NSW Interclub Tournament. We took our Champion Boat in this tournament last year and came very close to achieving this feat again but we were “pipped at the post” by just 2kg. We were more than happy with 2nd place result after last year’s win.

A 1st place in the Broken Bay Invitational, in the Light Tackle Tag & Release section, added to another very successful season out of Port Stephens this year.

Port Stephens attracted many international anglers this year, some targeting the perfect sized billfish on fly and others attempting to enter their name in the IGFA World Record Book utilizing ultra-light tackle. Some of the results were remarkable with new world claims for black and striped marlin on 2lb, 4lb and 6lb line classes. I am sure you will hear more of this remarkable fishing in up and coming fishing bulletins.

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